Saturday, August 29, 2009


"For me, art, and especially music, exists to elevate us as far as possible above everyday existence."

-- Gabriel Faure', composer (1845-1924)

Saturday, August 22, 2009


What drunkenness is this that brings me hope --
Who was the Cup-bearer, and whence the wine?
That minstrel singing with full voice divine,
What lay was his? for 'mid the woven rope
Of song, he brought word from my Friend to me
Set to his melody.

-- Hafiz, The Garden of Heaven, (trans. by G. Bell); poem XIX

Saturday, August 15, 2009


Each day may I count the causes of Thy mercy,
May I each day give heed to Thy laws;
Each day may I compose to Thee a song,
May I harp each day Thy praise, O God.

-- from The Celtic Vision, edited by Esther de Waal

Saturday, August 8, 2009


Standing quietly by the fence,
you smile your wondrous smile.
I am speechless, and my senses are filled
by the sounds of your beautiful song,
Beginningless and endless.
I bow deeply to you.

quoted by Thich Nhat Hanh
in For the Love of God: Handbook for the Spirit
edited by Benjamin Shield and Richard Carlson

Saturday, August 1, 2009


After silence,
that which come nearest
to expressing the inexpressible,
is music.

Aldous Huxley